Top of the south continues strong Covid vaccine response

Friday, 13 August 2021

The top of the south reached the 100,000 vaccine mark this week.

Top of the south residents are continuing their strong uptake of the Covid jab, as the region’s vaccine rollout stays ahead of target.

Under the national rollout, people in the over-50 age bracket were eligible for the two-part Pfizer jab from Friday, with all those aged 16 and over eligible from September 1.

Nelson-Marlborough continues to be ahead of the trend, having already contacted many under 50s to get their jabs. Overall it remains one of the top regions in the country at 124 per cent of its plan, just behind the top region, Whanganui, on 128 per cent.

Vaccination centres throughout the top of the south are doing the bulk of the jabs in Nelson, Richmond and Blenhiem with pharmacies and GPs gradually getting on board, including Blenheim’s Wairau Pharmacy and Unichem Springlands Pharmacy; and Nelson’s Tahunanui Pharmacy and Victory Square Pharmacy allowing people to book a slot.

The Richmond vaccination centre is one of the main delivery clinics in the region.

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Nelson Marlborough Health strategy, primary and community general manager Cathy O’Malley said on Thursday, the top of the south hit a milestone as its 100,000th dose was delivered.

“Locally, where we have enough vaccines, staff and clinic space to offer it to younger age groups, we are doing so, which is why people are receiving text message invites.”

The invites are genuine, giving people a code to use on the Book My Vaccine website that allows them to book an appointment at a suitable location. Enrollees need the code as they won’t be able to get all the way through to booking on Book My Vaccine, or the 0800 number without it.

The Golden Bay vaccination centre is targeting people aged 16-plus on Saturday, with those eligible having received invites.

O’Malley said the Takaka-based centre open day was an example of being able to offer the jab to all ages earlier because of having enough vaccine “but also because it’s more practical and cost-efficient for smaller, rural or remote communities”.

On August 8, the Motueka clinic saw 1230 people roll up their sleeve for the vaccine.

There was planning for about 12,000 to 13,000 jabs to be distributed every week “at our peak” in August, O’Malley said, with the bulk being done at Nelson, Richmond and Blenheim vaccination centres, supplemented by a range of Kaupapa Māori clinics and other outreach events, as well as four GPs and 18 pharmacies.

Two walk-in clinics are open to Māori over 16 this Sunday, 10am to 4pm at the Nelson Walk-In Clinic, 16 Paru Paru Rd, and Richmond Walk-In Clinic, 253 Queen St.